Name	Mariachi
Bgcolor	darksalmon
Color	black
Stylistic origins	Son Jaliscience
Cultural origins	18th century, Cocula, Jalisco
Instruments	Violin, guitarrón, guitarra de golpe, vihuela, guitar, trumpet, and occasionally a harp
Subgenrelist	List of Mariachi genres
Subgenres	Ranchera, Traditional
Other topics	Charro – Jarabe tapatío(also the name of a song)

Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind, and percussion instruments. In addition, sociohistorical factors have influenced the repertoire in terms of the performance of diverse regional song forms as well as the evolution of the performance attire. Mariachi is important to the study of Mexican music because, as an ensemble created during the colonial period, it found its essence during the postcolonial era, blossomed during the nationalist era, and made a global impact during contemporary times. Throughout this development, particularly since the nationalist era, mariachi music has become emblematic of Mexican music by appropriating various Mexican regional song forms, experimenting in popular radio programs, appearing in the first Mexican films, and performing during presidential campaigns (Loza 1993, Turino 2003, Sheehy 2005, de la Mora 2006, Jáuregui 2007).

The term "Mariachi" is said to be an adaptation of the French word for marriage or wedding "mariage" as this type of musical formation used to play at such events. This traces from the XIX century during the reign of Maximilian I of Mexico (Archduke Maximilian of Austria) and the influence of Napoleon II over Spain.

The mariachi ensemble generally consists of violins, trumpets, a classical guitar, a vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar), a guitarrón (a large acoustic bass) and, on occasion, a harp or two. They dress in silver studded charro outfits with wide-brimmed hats. The original Mariachi were Mexican street musicians or buskers. Many mariachis are professional entertainers doing paid gigs in the mainstream entertainment industry. Professionals are normally skilled at more than one instrument, and they also sing. They sometimes accompany ranchera singers such as Vicente Fernandez or even pop star Luis Miguel. Although ranchera singers dress in a traje de charro (Charro suit), they are not mariachis. Besides the typical instrumentation, mariachi music, as well as many other forms of traditional Mexican music, is also noted for the grito mexicano, a yell that is done at musical interludes within a song, either by the musicians and/or the listening audience.

, and Robert Vidaurri from San Antonio perform on March 20, 2010, in Zapata, Texas]]

Although mariachis are hired to play at events such as weddings and other formal occasions, such as a quinceañera (a girl's fifteenth birthday celebration), they are very often used to serenade women because many of the songs in a typical repertoire have as a theme the desire to touch the heart of a woman. Trios of mariachis can be found for hire in different places at night (the best known venues are Plaza de los Mariachis in Guadalajara and Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City) for the purposes of serenading. Mother's days are also another popular occasion for mariachis. Hiring prices can vary immensely and are normally not cheap.

Non-Mexican tourists frequently confuse mariachis with all types of buskers seen in Mexico, such as jarochos, typical of the State of Veracruz, or "norteño" bands, which hail mainly from the Northern states of the country. Mariachi refers to musicians who dress and play in a style typical of the Mexican state of Jalisco, although the style and music played has spread far beyond the limits of Jalisco and jalisciense music itself. Generally a guitarrón and a vihuela must be included for a group to be considered a mariachi.

Instrumentation

Current mariachi instrumentation includes a guitarrón, a vihuela, a guitar, violins, and trumpets. Some groups might use a guitarra de golpe, a mariachi harp or even a flute. From the 70's some singers have occasionally added other instruments such as accordion, organ, keyboard, harmonica, saxophone and even drums, although they were considered additions, never part of the mariachi instrumentation itself. During the last years ranchera singers as Alejandro Fernández and Pepe Aguilar, have made fusions of mariachi with orchestra and drums/percussions giving birth to a Mariachi/pop ballads crossover style.

In the complete Mariachi group today there are as many as six to eight violins, two trumpets, and a guitar – all standard European instruments. Then there is a high-pitched, round-backed guitar called the vihuela, which when strummed in the traditional manner gives the Mariachi its typical rhythmic vitality; a deep-voiced guitar called the guitarrón which serves as the bass of the ensemble; and a Mexican folk harp, which usually doubles the bass line, but also ornaments the melody. While these three instruments have European origins, in their present form they are strictly Mexican. Most people confuse the name "Mariachi" with "Mariachi Band". "Mariachi Band" is like saying, Big Band Band.

Mariachi's who incorporate an accordion are known as Tejano, not Mariachi.

Mariachi songs are interpreted mostly by tenor-pitched singers, a characteristic feature in this type of music. Mariachi songs are even interpreted by opera singers like "Cielito Lindo" interpreted by the Three Tenors on distinct occasions. Most notably, the tenors Placido Domingo and José Carreras worked on a tour with Alejandro Fernandez where they sung along several classic Mariachi and Mexican folk music.

Musical forms

Metre in 2/4 [chun-ta]

:*Canción ranchera (a dos tiempos) :*Corrido (a dos tiempos) :*"Polka" :*Pasodoble :*Marcha

Metre in 3/4 [chun-ta-ta]

:*Canción ranchera (tres tiempos) :*Corrido (tres tiempos) :*Valses mexicanos :*Son Jaliscience :*Huapango

Metre in 4/4

:*Bolero ranchero :*Danzón :*Ranchera Lenta :*Cumbia

Metre in 6/8

:*Son Jaliscience :*Jarabe :*Huapango

Metre mixed

::Examples: :*"Muerte de un gallero" (corrido-son) :*"El Charro Mexicano" (ranchera-son)

Classical music obertures

Mariachis and artists

Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana

Eddie Gonzalez

José Alfredo Jiménez

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán

Jorge Negrete

Pedro Infante

Vicente Fernandez

Antonio Aguilar

Pepe Aguilar

Pedro Fernández

Alejandro Fernández

Ana Gabriel

Luis Miguel

Banda Machos

Carlos y Jose

Chayito Valdez

Conjunto Primavera

Miguel Aceves Mejía

Tito Guízar

Rubén Fuentes Gassón

Luis Aguilar

Hito Huerta

Mariachi Internacional

Juan Torres y Su Organ

Los Alegres De Teran

Los Temerarios

Los Muchachos

Mariachi El Bronx

Mariachi Garibaldi

Mariachi México Jalisco

Mariachi Veracruz

Mercedes Castro

Patrulla 81

Rafael Rabago

Ramon Ayala

Shaila Dúrcal

Mariachi Cobre

Alicia Juarez

References

External links

Tucson's Ronstadt Family

"Mariachi Women"

"Mariachi Directory"

Category:Mexican styles of music * Category:Spanish words and phrases Category:National symbols of Mexico Category:Mexican musical ensembles

Caption	Antonio Banderas in 2010
Birth date	August 10, 1960
Birth place	Málaga, Andalusia, Spain
Birth name
Spouse	Ana Leza (1987–1995)Melanie Griffith (1996–present)
Years active	1979–present
Occupation	Actor, director, singer

José Antonio Domínguez Bandera (born August 10, 1960), better known as Antonio Banderas, is a Spanish film actor, film director, film producer and singer. He began his acting career at age 19 with a series of films by director Pedro Almodóvar and then appeared in high-profile Hollywood films including Assassins, Evita, , Philadelphia, Desperado, The Mask of Zorro, Spy Kids and the Shrek sequels.

Early life

Banderas was born in Málaga, Andalusia, Spain in 1960 to Ana Bandera, a school teacher, and José Domínguez, a police officer in the Guardia Civil. He has a younger brother, Francisco. He took his mother's surname as his stage name. He initially wanted to be a soccer player, but his dream ended when he broke his foot at age 14.

Personal life

Banderas divorced his first wife, Ana Leza, and in May 1996 married American actress Melanie Griffith, whom he had met a year earlier while shooting Two Much. They have a daughter, Stella del Carmen (born 1996), who appeared with her parents in the film Crazy in Alabama (1999), in which Griffith starred and which Banderas directed.

He has invested some of his film earnings in Andalusian products, which he promotes in Spain and the USA.

In 1996, Banderas appeared among other figures of Spanish culture in a video supporting the PSOE lists in the general election.

He is a long time supporter of the Málaga CF.

He is an officer (mayordomo de trono) of a Roman Catholic religious brotherhood in Málaga and travels, with his wife and daughter, during Holy Week to take part in the processions, although in an interview with People magazine Banderas had once described himself as an agnostic.

Career in Spain

His acting career began at the age of 19, when he worked in small theatres during the Movida period. He first gained wide attention of the Spanish audience through starring on a set of films by director Pedro Almodóvar between 1982 and 1990. Labyrinth of Passion (Laberinto de Pasiones, 1982), in which he played a gay man; Matador (1986), in which he played a troubled young man who is confused about his sexuality; Law of Desire (La Ley del Deseo, 1987), in which he played a psychotic gay stalker; Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios 1988); and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (¡Átame!, 1989), in which he played "Ricky", which was his breakthrough role, garnering him critical attention.

Career in U.S.A.

Banderas began acting in U.S. films in the early nineties; some of his earlier roles there included the 1992 film, The Mambo Kings, as well as a supporting role in the Oscar-winning 1993 film, Philadelphia. He appeared in several major Hollywood releases in 1995, including a starring role in the Robert Rodriguez-directed film, Desperado.

In 1996, he starred alongside Madonna in Evita, an adaptation of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in which he played the narrator, Che, a role played by David Essex in the original 1978 West End production. He also made success with his role as the legendary Mexican masked swordsman, Zorro in the 1998 film The Mask of Zorro, for which he was the first Spanish actor to portray the character.

In 2000, Ridley Scott offered Banderas a part as a peasant in his film Gladiator. Banderas accepted and received $50,000 for the role, which is currently the world record for the highest salary of an extra.

In 2001, he collaborated with Robert Rodriguez who cast him in the Spy Kids film trilogy. He also starred in Michael Cristofer's Original Sin alongside Angelina Jolie the same year. In 2002, he starred in Brian De Palma's Femme Fatale opposite Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and in Julie Taymor's Frida with Salma Hayek. In 2003 he starred in the last installment of the "Mexico" trilogy Once Upon A Time In Mexico (in which he appeared with Johnny Depp and Salma Hayek). Banderas' debut as a director was the poorly-received Crazy in Alabama (1999), starring his wife Melanie Griffith.

In 2003, he returned to the musical genre, appearing to great acclaim in the Broadway revival of Maury Yeston's musical Nine, based on the film 8½, playing the prime role originated by the late Raúl Juliá. Banderas won both the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards, and was nominated for the Tony Award for best actor in a musical. His performance is preserved on the Broadway cast recording released by PS Classics.

His voice role as Puss in Boots in Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third and the last film in the Shrek franchise; "Shrek Forever After" which made the character popular on the family film circuit. He is set to be the protagonist of the Shrek spin-off film: "" Which is said to be released on November 4, 2011. In 2005, he reprised his role as Zorro in The Legend of Zorro, though this was not as successful as The Mask of Zorro. In 2006, he starred in Take the Lead, a high school-set movie in which he played a ballroom dancing teacher. That year, he directed his second film El camino de los ingleses (English title: Summer Rain), and also received the L.A. Latino International Film Festival's "Gabi" Lifetime Achievement Award on 14 October. He hosted the 600th episode of Saturday Night Live (during season 31). He performed a voice-over for a computer-animated bee which can be seen in the United States in television commercials for Nasonex, an allergy medication, and was seen in the 2007 Christmas advertising campaign for Marks & Spencer, a British retailer.

He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 6801 Hollywood Blvd in 2005.

Works

Filmography

Plays

See also

List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards

References

External links

Antonio Banderas appointed Goodwill Ambassador at Bay Ledger

Category:1960 births Category:European Film Awards winners (people) Category:Spanish people Category:Andalusian people Category:Living people Category:People from Málaga (city) Category:Spanish agnostics Category:Spanish film actors Category:Spanish musical theatre actors Category:People from Los Angeles, California

Caption	Salma Hayek at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival
Birth name	Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez
Birth date	September 02, 1966
Birth place	Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico
Occupation	Actress, director, producer
Years active	1988–present
Spouse	François-Henri Pinault (2009–present)

Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez-Pinault (; born September 2, 1966 in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz) is a Mexican actress, director and producer of Lebanese descent. Hayek is the first Mexican national to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. She is one of the most prominent Mexican figures in Hollywood. She is also, after Fernanda Montenegro, the second of three Latin American actresses (the other being Catalina Sandino Moreno) to achieve a Best Actress Oscar nomination.

Early life

Hayek was born in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico, the daughter of Diana Jiménez Medina, an opera singer and talent scout, and Sami Hayek Dominguez, an oil company executive who once ran for mayor of Coatzacoalcos. Hayek's father is of Lebanese descent, while her mother is of Spanish descent. Her first given name, Salma, is Arabic for "Welcome". Raised in a wealthy, devoutly Roman Catholic family, she was sent to the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, at the age of twelve. She attended college in Mexico City, where she studied International Relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana.

Early Hollywood acting work

Hayek moved to Los Angeles, California in 1991 to study acting under Stella Adler. She had limited fluency in English, which was attributed to her suffering from dyslexia. Robert Rodriguez and his producer and then wife Elizabeth Avellan soon gave Hayek a starring role opposite Antonio Banderas in 1995's Desperado.

Frida, co-produced by Hayek, was released in 2002. Starring Hayek as Frida Kahlo, and Alfred Molina as her unfaithful husband, Diego Rivera, the film was directed by Julie Taymor and featured an entourage of stars in supporting and minor roles (Valeria Golino, Ashley Judd, Edward Norton, Geoffrey Rush) and cameos (Antonio Banderas). She earned a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her performance. In December 2005, she directed a music video for Prince, titled "Te Amo Corazon" ("I love you, sweetheart") that featured her good friend Mia Maestro.

.]]

Hayek was an executive producer of Ugly Betty, a television series that aired around the world from 2006 to 2010. Hayek adapted the series for American television with Ben Silverman, who acquired the rights and scripts from the Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty La Fea in 2001. Originally intended as a half hour sitcom for NBC in 2004, the project would later be picked up by ABC for the 2006–2007 season with Silvio Horta also producing. Hayek guest-starred on Ugly Betty as Sofia Reyes, a magazine editor. She also had a cameo playing an actress in the telenovela within the show. The show won a Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy Series in 2007. Hayek's performance as Sofia resulted in a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards.

In April 2007, Hayek finalized negotiations with MGM to become the CEO of her own Latin themed film production company, Ventanarosa. The following month, she signed a two year deal with ABC to develop projects for the network through her production company, Ventanarosa.

Hayek is developing and producing La Banda, a Spanish-language romantic comedy set in Mexico, written by Issa Lopez.

Hayek recently had a guest stint on 30 Rock as Elisa, the nurse for Jack Donaghy's mother, for whom Jack falls.

Hayek stars as the wife of Adam Sandler in Grown Ups, which also co-stars Chris Rock and Kevin James. Salma is set to co-star with Antonio Banderas in the Shrek spin-off film Puss in Boots as the voice of the character Kitty Softpaws, who serves as Puss' female counterpart and love interest.

Singing credits

Hayek has been credited as a song performer in three movies. The first was Desperado for the song Quedate Aquí. In Frida she performed with band Los Vega the Mexican folk song La Bruja. She also recorded Siente mi amor, which played during the end credits of Once Upon a Time in Mexico. She also contributed to Happiness is a Warm Gun in "Across the Universe" as the singing nurses.

Promotional work

Hayek has been a spokesperson for Avon cosmetics since February 2004. She formerly acted as spokesperson for Revlon in 1998. In 2001, she modeled for Chopard and was featured in 2006 Campari adverts as photographed by Mario Testino. On April 3, 2009, she helped introduce La Doña, a watch by Cartier inspired by fellow Mexican actress María Félix.

Hayek was also featured in a series of Spanish language commercials for Lincoln cars. Consequently, sales of the Lincoln Navigator among Hispanics increased by twelve percentage points.

In art

In spring 2006, the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in San Antonio, Texas displayed 16 portrait paintings by muralist George Yepes and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez of Hayek as Aztec goddess Itzapapalotl.

Personal life

Hayek is a naturalized United States citizen. Her brother, Sami Hayek, is a designer with his own line of products at Target and clients that include Louis Vuitton, Brad Pitt, and the Mexican Government.

On March 9, 2007, Hayek confirmed her engagement to PPR CEO François-Henri Pinault as well as her pregnancy. On September 21, 2007, she gave birth to daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. On July 18, 2008, Hayek and Pinault announced the end of their engagement. They later reconciled and were married on Valentine's Day, 2009 in Paris. On April 25, 2009, they were married a second time in Venice.

Hayek is also a practitioner of yoga.

Advocacy

Hayek's charitable work includes increasing awareness on violence against women and discrimination against immigrants. On July 19, 2005, Hayek testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary supporting reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. In February 2006, she donated $25,000 to a Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, shelter for battered women and another $50,000 to Monterrey based anti-domestic violence groups. Hayek is a board member of V-Day, the charity founded by playwright Eve Ensler.

Since the birth of her daughter, Hayek has worked to help mothers in developing nations worldwide, teaming up with Pampers and UNICEF to help stop the spread of life-threatening maternal and neonatal tetanus. She is a global spokesperson for the Pampers/UNICEF partnership 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine to help raise awareness of the program.

Hayek also advocates breastfeeding, because of its benefits, including building stronger infant immune systems. During a UNICEF fact-finding trip to Sierra Leone, she breastfed a hungry week-old baby whose mother could not produce milk.

In 2010, Hayek's humanitarian work earned her a nomination for the VH1 Do Something Awards. The awards show, produced by VH1, is dedicated to honoring people who do good and recognized Hayek's various efforts to support women internationally. The awards are powered by Do Something, an organization that aims to empower, celebrate, and inspire young people.

Honors

Recipient of Glamour magazine Woman of the Year Award in October 2001. Recipient of Producers Guild of America Celebration of Diversity Award in 2003. Recipient of Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year Award in February 2006. Recipient of Time magazine 25 Most Influential Hispanics in 2005.

In July 2007, The Hollywood Reporter ranked Hayek fourth in their inaugural Latino Power 50, a list of the most powerful members of the Hollywood Latino community. That same month, a poll found Hayek to be the "sexiest celebrity" out of a field of 3,000 celebrities (male and female); according to the poll, "65 percent of the U.S. population would use the term 'sexy' to describe her". In December 2008, Entertainment Weekly ranked Hayek number 17 in their list of the "25 Smartest People in TV."

Filmography

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Film |- ! Year ! Film ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1993 | Mi Vida Loca || Gata | |- | 1994 | El Callejón de los Milagros | Alma | (Miracle Alley) Spanish-languageNominated—Ariel for Best Actress |- | 1995 | Desperado | Carolina | Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (Shared with Antonio Banderas) |- | 1995 | Fair Game | Rita | |- | 1996 | From Dusk Till Dawn | Santanico Pandemonium | |- | 1996 | Follow Me Home | Betty | |- | 1996 | Fled | Cora | |- | 1997 | Fools Rush In | Isabel Fuentes | Nominated—Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film |- | 1997 | Breaking Up | Monica |- | 1997 | Sistole Diastole | Carmelita |- | 1997 | | Esmeralda | |- | 1998 | 54 | Anita | Nominated—Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film |- | 1998 | | Mary Carmen | Producer |- | 1998 | | Nurse Harper | |- | 1999 | Dogma | Serendipity | |- | 1999 | El Coronel No Tiene Quien Le Escriba | Julia | (No One Writes to the Colonel)Producer; Spanish-language |- | 1999 | Wild Wild West | Rita Escobar | Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress - ActionNominated—Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film |- | 2000 | Timecode | Rose | |- | 2000 | La Gran Vida | Lola | (Living it Up) Spanish-language |- | 2000 | Chain of Fools | Sgt. Meredith Kolko | Direct-to-video release |- | 2000 | Traffic | Rosario | uncredited |- | 2001 | Hotel | Charlee Boux | |- | 2001 | In the Time of the Butterflies | Minerva Mirabel | |- | 2002 | Frida | Frida Kahlo | ProducerGolden Camera for Best International ActressNominated—Academy Award for Best ActressNominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading RoleNominated—Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best ActressNominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best ActressNominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture DramaNominated—Satellite Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture DramaNominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role |- | 2003 | | Francesca Giggles | |- | 2003 | Once Upon a Time in Mexico | Carolina | |- | 2003 | | herself | |- | 2004 | After the Sunset | Lola Cirillo | |- | 2006 | Ask the Dust | Camilla Lopez | |- | 2006 | Bandidas | Sara Sandoval | |- | 2007 | Lonely Hearts | Martha Beck | |- | 2007 | Across the Universe | Bang Bang Shoot Shoot Nurses | |- | 2009 | | Madame Truska | |- | 2010 | Grown Ups | Roxanne Chase-Feder | |- | 2011 | Puss in Boots | Kitty Softpaws (Voice) | |}

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Television |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1988 | Un Nuevo Amanecer | | Spanish-language telenovela |- | 1989 | Teresa | Teresa | Spanish-language telenovela |- | 1993 | | | recurring character |- | 1994 | Roadracers | Donna | |- | 1994 | El Vuelo del Águila | Juana Cata | Spanish-language telenovela |- | 1997 | | Esmeralda | Nominated—ALMA Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Made-for-Television Movie or Mini-Series in a Crossover Role |- | 1999 | Action | Herself | guest star |- | 2001 | In the Time of the Butterflies | Minerva Mirabal | Producer; featureNominated—ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor/Actress in a Made for Television Movie or MiniseriesNominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association for Best Actress in a Picture Made for Television |- | 2003 | | | Feature; producer, director. Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Children/Youth/Family Special |- | 2003 | Saturday Night Live | Guest Host | March 15 |- | 2006–2007 | Ugly Betty | Sofia Reyes | Producer and guest starNominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress – Comedy Series — 2007Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series — 2007Nominated—Producers Guild of America Television Producer of the Year Award |- | 2009 | 30 Rock | Elisa | guest star |}

Event appearances

Was a member of the 2005 Cannes Film Festival jury. Co-hosted the annual Nobel Peace Prize concert with Julianne Moore in Oslo, Norway on December 11, 2005.

References

External links

Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:American actors of Asian descent Category:American actors of European descent Category:American film actors Category:American film directors of Mexican descent Category:American humanitarians Category:American people of Lebanese descent Category:American people of Spanish descent Category:American telenovela actors Category:American television producers Category:Ariel Award winners Category:Breastfeeding activists Category:Daytime Emmy Award winners Category:Female film directors Category:Hispanic and Latino American actors Category:Ibero-American University alumni Category:Mexican film actors Category:Mexican film directors Category:Mexican humanitarians Category:Mexican immigrants to the United States Category:Mexican people of Lebanese descent Category:Mexican people of Spanish descent Category:Mexican telenovela actors Category:Mexican television producers Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States Category:People from Coatzacoalcos Category:People from Los Angeles, California

Name	Antonio Aguilar Barraza
Birth date	May 17, 1919
Birth place	Villanueva, Zacatecas, Mexico
Death date	June 19, 2007
Death place	Mexico City, Mexico
Birthname	Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza
Spouse	Flor Silvestre(?–2007; his death) 2 children

Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza (May 17, 1919 – June 19, 2007), most commonly known as Antonio Aguilar, also called "El Charro de México" was a Mexican film actor, singer, producer and screenwriter. During his career, he made over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies, and made 167 movies.

Early life

Aguilar was born in the small town of Villanueva in the state of Zacatecas. He spent his early childhood in a hacienda first built in 1596 in the town of Tayahua, about 35 km from Villanueva. Aguilar's family acquired this property in the early 19th century.

Acting career

Aguilar began his singing career in 1952 during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. He is credited with popularising la charrería, considered to have originated in Mexico, to international audiences. He made 167 movies and has been compared to American actors like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Ronald Reagan. Amongst his best movies are Caballo Prieto Azabache and Bala Perdida. Aguilar appeared in American western films like 1969's The Undefeated starring John Wayne. He was similarly honored with his handprints and star on the Paseo de las Luminarias in Mexico City for his work in movies and in the recording industry.

Musical career

Antonio Aguilar began his recording career in 1950, eventually making over 150 albums and selling more than 25 million records. He was known for his corridos with some of his best known songs including "Gabino Barrera", "Caballo Prieto Azabache", "Albur de Amor", and "Un Puño De Tierra".

Family

Angela and Jesus, Antonio's parents, had six other children: Jose Roque, Chava(dec.), Lupe(dec.), Louis Thomas (dec.), Mariano (dec.) and Josefina. Aguilar was married to actress Flor Silvestre (born Guillermina Jimenez), and one of their children, Jose "Pepe" Aguilar, is among Mexico's most popular modern singers. In addition to Pepe Aguilar, he had another child with Flor Silvestre who is the oldest, Antonio Aguilar, Jr. His grandchildren Emiliano,Aneliz,Leonardo,and Angela are Pepe Aguilar's children. Maria Jose and Flor Susana are Antonio Aguilar Jr's. Children.

Death

On June 18, 2007, Doctors announced that Antonio was no longer responding to treatment and was expected to pass away before the end of the night. On June 19, 2007, the doctor spoke out to the media that Aguilar was still alive, and his body was responding to the medication but was still in critical condition. While there, the family received visits from many famous people including Vicente Fernández.

Aguilar died on June 19, 2007 at 11:45 p.m. from pneumonia. His coffin was carried through the streets of Zacatecas, the state capital, and was honored at a memorial service attended by hundreds at a church there.

His body was then taken to the hamlet of Tayahua, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) to the south, where residents waited in the streets to bid Aguilar a final farewell before he was buried at his family's "El Soyate" ranch nearby, the government news agency Notimex reported.

Obituaries appeared in many newspapers, including Los Angeles Times (USA), New York Times (USA), Washington Post (USA), The Guardian (UK) and The Independent (UK). News of Antonio’s death were reported in newspapers of many Spanish-speaking countries, including Guatemala (El Periodico), Honduras (La Tribuna), El Salvador (El Diario de Hoy), Nicaragua (El Nuevo Diario), Costa Rica (Diario Extra), Venezuela (Correo del Caroní), Peru (Crónica Viva), Colombia (El Tiempo), Ecuador (El Diario) and Chile (El Mercurio).

References

External links

Antonio Aguilar's movies at TKcine

Pepe Aguilar's website - Antonio Aguilar's son

Obituary in the Houston Chronicle

Category:1919 births Category:2007 deaths Category:Mexican actors Category:Mexican singers Category:People from Zacatecas Category:Deaths from pneumonia Category:Infectious disease deaths in Mexico Category:Golden Age of Mexican cinema